Barrier for animal traps



March 23, 194s. H A, STIL-SON l 2,438,377

BARRIER FOR ANIMAL TRAPS Filed July 26, 1945 IN V EN TOR.

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Patented Mar. 23, 1948 BARRIERFOR ANIMAL TRAPS Herbert A. Stilson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Mc- Gill Metal Products Corporation, Marengo, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application' July 26, 1945, Serial No. 607,152

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to animal traps and more particularly to an improved device adapted for combination with an animal trap to minimize bait stealing.

In animal traps, particularly those used for catching rats and larger animals, the jaw or striker for killing the animal is pivoted intermediate the ends of a base, and is held latched at the rear end of the base ready to pivot under spring tension to a released position at the front end of the base when the latch mechanism is released by pressure on the bait treadle located at the front end of the base. Thus with the trap'in set position, the bait treadle is at one end of the base, while the jaw or striker is held latched at the other end of the base. Normally an animal approaches the bait from the front end er the sides f the base adjacent the bait treadle so that when the striker is released the animal is properly positioned to be killed by the striker rotating toward its released position. However, it is not unusual for a larger animal, such as a rat, to approach the bait from the rear end of the base at which the striker is held in latched position. This is considered an animal bait stealing approach since the animal by virtue of being located at the rear end of the base escapes the striker as it rotates into its released position. Specifically the striker rotates over the top of the animal or knocks the animal to one side so that the animal is not pinned between the jaw and the base.

. It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide improved facilities for minimizing the stealing of bait from the bait treadle of an animal trap.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved barrier structure, readily attachable to animal traps of standard commercial design, which acts to interfere with animal approach to the bait treadle from the rear end of the trap base, without interfering with operation of the trap when sprung.

According to a further object of the invention, the barrier structure is so constructed that it may be supported upon the trap in a lowered position wherein the overall thickness of the trap is not increased.

In accordance with another object of the invention, facilities are provided for automatically pivoting the barrier from its lowered position to a raised animal approach blocking position relative to the trap base as the striker or jaw is pivoted into its set position relative to the trap base.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a barrier structure of the character described which is so simple, stamped-out, onepiece metal construction and may be easily manufactured at low cost in production quantities.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specication taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present improved barrier structure prior to combination with an animal trap;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of an animal trap having combined therewith the present improved barrier structure;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the trap shown in Fig. 2 illustrating the barrier in its raised or upright position relative to the trap base;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective viewY illustrating the operative connection between the barrier and the spring of the trap.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof the present improved barrier structure is there indicated generally at Il) as comprising a body portion lila having spaced supporting portions lob and luc extending laterally from the lower edge thereof which are adapted to be wrapped around the spaced sections of the coil spring used in a rat or mouse trap to actuate the trap striker assembly, thereby to provide a `pivotal support for the barrier. Intermediate the supporting portions lllb and, IUc, the body portion of the barrier is provided with an inverted V-shaped notch lod within which one or more parts of the trap latching mechanism are freely movable. Along its side edges, the barrier is provided with oppositely projecting portions Ille and If which are employed in pivoting the barrier to an upright animal approach blocking position, and in limiting such pivotal movement of the barrier in the manner explained below.

The barrier I 0 is preferably of thin gauge sheet metal construction and in the manufacture thereof may be formed by two simple stamping operations, the rst being that of stamping out the barrier blank of desired size and pattern from ilat metal stock. Thereafter, a second stamping operation may be used to bend the supporting portions Illb and Illc at right angles to the barrier body portion Illa along the line Illz', so that they occupy the full line positions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Following this operation, the barrier structure is ready for combination with the operating mechanism of a trap of appropriate size. This may be accomplished in the manner explained below with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing.

Briefly, the trap there shown is of the selfsetting type and comprises a base II preferably in the form of a wood block of rectangular shape. Intermediate the front and rear ends thereof,

v this base pivotally supports a U-shaped striker I2 formed of relatively stiff wire bent interme- 4 mensioned that with the swing end of the latching bar 30 resting upon the loop 2|, the cross portion I4 of the striker readily clears the end of the part 30o. Due to engagement of the striker cross portion I4 with the latching bar end part 30h, slight further movement of the striker I2 causes the latch bar 3l) to swing up about its pivotal connection with the latch holder 32 until its swing end is above the shoulder 3| of the treadle '24. As the latching bar 3i] is thus pivoted in a counterclockwise'direction as in Fig. 3 to raise the swing end thereof, the camdiate its ends at I3 to provide across portion I e I4 and side portions I5 pivoted at their ends upon y a pivot element in the form of a rod ornail I6 which extends through two staples I1 driven into the wood base. 'Ihe striker is constantly urged toward its released position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing by meansY of a coil spring IB composed of a wire member having two spirally wound sections I9 surrounding the pivot pin I6. at adjacent ends by an integral loop part 2l which bears upon the wood base in the manner shown in Figs, 2 and 3 of the drawing. The outer end portions 22 of the coil spring are eX- tended for engagement over or within loop parts 23 of the striker side portions I5, the arrangement being such that tension stored in the spring tends to rotate the striker from its set position to its released position. Y

For the purpose of releasably holding the striker I2 in its, set postion, latching means are provided which comprise a bait holder or'treadle 24 also pivoted-upon the pin I 6. This bait or treadlemember extends toward `the frontend of the base II and consists of apiece of sheet metal bent throughout itsmajor part to U-section, the pivot pin passing through suitably Vprovided apertures in the vertical or leg parts 26 At its front Vend, the treadle 24 is enlarged at 21 and provided with a deof the treadle.

These coil sections are connected v Y thus freeing the `cross portion I`4 ofjthe striker Y,

pressed tang 28 to hold the bait.Y From just rearwardly of the pivot pin I6, the central part of the U-portion of the treadle memberis cut away to provide a slot 29 for receiving a latching bar 3o, and a forward Yholding shouldel` 3l which may be engaged by the swing end of the sheet metal, is of U-shaped cross section and is provided with legs driven into the base II. A central slot extends down the vertical base portion of the holder 32 to receive the end parts 30a, 30h and 30a of the latching bar 30. This slot is interrupted by a bridge member 31 extending through the partially Vclosed slot 4I between the latching bar end parts 30a and 33h.

More specifically, the latching bar 30 consists of a single flat piece of sheet metal provided at its rear end with two slots 4I and 42 which separate the end parts 30a, 30o and 30e.V Above the slot 42 the endV part 33o is formed in theV latching bar 30 to hold theV cross portion 'I4 of the striker I2 when the striker is -in its ,setpostion Setting of the trap is accomplished by pivoting the striker I2 from the position shown in dash lines in Fig. 3v of the drawings in a counterclockwise direction untilit engagesrthe Vlatching p ming edge 30d provided at this end ofthe bar engages the edge of the shoulder 3I to pivot the treadle slightly in a clockwise direction. As the bottom edge of the bar is raised above the shoulder 3|, the treadle 24 is reversely pivoted under the iniiuence of gravity by virtue of its center of gravity being disposed to theleft of the pivot rod I6. During suchy reverse pivotal movement, the shoulder 3l is moved into the path of movement of the lower edge of the latching bar 30. Thus, the swing end of thebar is held in a raised position to project the end part 30o outwardly from the rear end of the holder 42 and thus prevent the striker I2 from returning-t0 its released position under theinfluence ofthe spring I8. The spring I8 acting throughthe 4striker I2 andthe end part 30e of the latching bar serves positively to hold the Swing end of this bar in engagement with the shoulderl 37| ofthe treadle 34 until such time as the treadle is tripped..

When the trigger 24 is moved away from Vthe position shown in Fig.. 2 .of the drawing, ,the swing end ofthe latching bar 3ris disengaged from the shoulderY 3| permittingthis bar to rotate. in a clockwise direction under the influence of the spring I8 until it engages the spring loop 2| As such pivotal movement occurs, the end part 3I3c`offth'e latching bar 33 is retracted,

to permit swinging movement of thewstriker Vto its released position underthe influence, of the spring I8.Y Y Y Referring lnow more particularly to the manner in which the present improved barrier .I0 is combined `with the self-setting 'trap just described, it isV pointed out that the parts IIlb and Ic of the barrier are utilizedfin pivotally supporting the barrier upon .the coilfspring ksections I9. Speciiically, and with the striker I2 in its released position, 'the supporting portions Ib Y and Ic may be slipped beneaththe Vcoil spring sections I9 and wrapped around these sections to provide the-'desired pivotal support for the barrier. ,This maybe accomplished either by nger.

or instrument binding` of the parts Ich and Vidc v the'barrier in the trap structure does not increaseY Y the packaging .space required or require Vvdie use of non-standardcartonsl n .e

Y As. indicated above,Y in accordance with one' feature of the present invention,V af one-way actuating connection is 'provided between the striker I2 and the barrier' IIl forautomatically rotating the barrier It to its upright position relative to the base II incident to pivotal movement of the striker I2 toward its set position. Thus, with the barrier supported between the side portions I5 of the striker I2, the projecting portions Ice and Illf thereof are so positioned that the upper edges lily and |011l lie in the paths oi movement of the coil spring end portions 22. Accordingly, as the striker I2 is rotated from its released position to its set position, the spring end portions 22 engage the projection edges |09 and Illh to rotate the barrier I from its lowered position adjacent the base II to an upright position wherein it is disposed substantially at right angles to the base as shown in Fig. 5. With the barrier I0 in this position, no parts thereof are disposed in the path of movement of the striker I2 toward its released position. Thus the striker is free for unimpeded movement to its released position when the bait treadle is tripped.

The projecting portions Ille and IIJf of the barrier also have the function of preventing the barrier I0 from being rotated through the desired upright position. To this end, the lower edges Illm and Illu are adapted to engage the staple supports Il incident to movement of the barrier Ill into an upright position relative to the base II. Such engagement obviously prevents continued movement of the barrier I0 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the base II. Thus with the striker I2 occupying its set position, the barrier I0 is positively locked against pivotal movement in either direction relative to the base II.

From the foregoing explanation it will be understood that with the barrier I0 in its raised or upright position, the animal approach to the baited end 21 of the treadle 24 from the rear end of the base II is efectively blocked. In this regard it yis noted that the height of thebody barrier portion Illa is so related to the length of the striker side portions I5 that even an animal of small size lying partially across the top edge of the barrier body portion Illa will be brushed oft' of the Ibarrier by the cross portion I4 of the striker when the bait treadle is tripped to release the striker latcln'ng mechanism. In such case the animal will normally be carried with the striker I2 against the base II and pinned between the two named elements. Thus the present improved barrier structure substantially prohibits bait stealing occasioned by animal approach to the baited end of the treadle 24 from the rear end of the base Il.

From the above explanation it will be understood that the present invention affords a substantially complete solution to the problem of bait stealing of the type referred to herein. Moreover, the structure of the barrier I0 utilized to prohibit such stealing is of simple and economical construction and may be easily combined with the operating parts of a trap of appropriate size. In this regard it is pointed out that the barrier Il] may either be manufactured as a component part of a trap prior to shipment for sale, or may be manufactured and sold separately for attachment to traps of conventional design.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various m-odications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A barrier adapted for support rupon the coiled striker biasing spring of an animal trap to block one animal approach to the bait treadle' of the trap, comprising a body portion adapted to extend upwardly from the trap base to provide the approach barrier, and support means adapted to be Wrapped around the coiled striker biasing spring t-o provide a pivotal support for said body portion. i 1

2. A vbarrier adapted for support upon the coiled striker biasing spring of an animal trap to block one animal approach to the bait treadle of the trap, comprising a metal member having a body portion adapted to extend upwardly from the trap base to provide the approach barrier, support portions adapted to be Wrapped around the coiled striker biasing spring to provide a pivotal support for said body portion and oppositely extending projecting portions cooperable with parts of the striker assembly to pivot said body portion into an upright position relative to the trap base and to hold said body portion in said upright position.

3. An animal trap comprising a spring biased striker, means pivotally supporting said striker for movement between set and released positions, latch mechanism including a bait treadle for holding said striker in its set position, and a barrier pivotally supported by said supporting means out of the path of movement of said striker into its released position for at least partially blocking animal approach to said treadle from one direction.

4. An animal trap comprising a spring biased striker including spaced side portions, means pivotally supporting said striker for movement between set and released positions, latch means including a bait treadle for holdingsaid striker in its set position, and a barrier pivotally supported between said striker side portions out of the paths of movement thereof during movement of said striker from its set position to its released position, said barrier being operative to at least partially block animal approach to said treadle from one direction.

5. An animal trap comprising a base, a spring biased striker including spaced side portions and pivotally supported upon said base intermediate the front and rear ends thereof for movement between set and released positions, latch means for holding said striker in its set position and including a bait treadle extending toward the front end of said base, a barrier disposed between said striker side portions for at least partially blocking animal approach to said treadle from the rear portion of said base, and means pivotally supporting said barrier for movement between raised and lowered positions relative to said base.

6. An animal trap comprising a base, a spring biased striker including spaced side portions, means pivotally supporting said striker upon said base intermediate the front and rear ends thereof for movement between set and released positions, latch means for holding said striker in its set position and including a bait treadle extending toward the front end of said base, and a barrier pivotally supported upon said supporting means between said striker side portions for movement between raised and lowered positions relative to said base, said barrier being effective to at least partially block animal approach to said treadle from the rear end of said base.

'7. An animal trap comprising a base, a striker including spaced side portions and a cross portion, means including a pivot element extending transversely of said base intermediate the front and rear ends thereof for supporting said striker for pivotal movement between set and released positions, a helical coil spring biasing said striker 'tions' surrounding said element, latch means for holding said striker in itsset position and including a bait treadle extending toward thefront of said base, andY a barrier including at least one portion wrapped around said spring convolutions to support the barrier between said striker side portions for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions relative to said base, said barrier beingeffective to at least partially block animal approach to said treadle from the rear end `of said base andbeing so supportedcbetween said striker side portions as not to interfere with movement of :said striker from its set position to its released position'.

f 8.l An `animal trap comprising a spring biased striker pivotally supported for movement between Yset vand released positions, latch mechanism including a bait treadle for holding said striker in its set position, and a barrier supported for movement into a position for at least partially blocking one animal approach'to said treadle in response to movement of said striker toward its set position. 9. VAn animal trap comprising a base, a spring `biased striker pivotally supported uponsaid base for movement between set and released positions,

latch mechanism including a bait treadle for holding said striker in its set position, and a barrier supported upon said base for pivotal movement from a lowered position relative to said base to an upright position relative to said base Yin response to movementv of said striker toward its set position, said barrier being eiective to at least Vpartially block one animal approach to said treadle when occupying its upright position relative to said base.

l0. An animal trap comprising a base, a spring biased striker, means pivotally supporting said striker upon said base for movement between set and released positions, latch mechanism including abait treadle for holding said striker in its set` position, and a barrier supported-upon said supporting means for pivotal movement from a lowered positionrelative to said base to an upright position relative to said base in response to movement of said striker toward its set'position, said barrier being effective to at least partially'block one animal approach to-said treadle when voccupying its upright'position. Y

l1. An animal trap comprisingl a base, a spring biased striker provided withside portions, meansv pivotally supporting said istriker upon saidV base formovement between'set and released positions, latch mechanism including a bait treadle for refleasablyiholding said striker in its set position, a barrier .supported upon said supportingV means between said striker side portions for pivotal lmovement from a lowered position relativeV to said base to an upright position relative to said base, and means providing a one-way actuating connection between saidstriker and said barrier for operating said barrier yto itsupright position in response Ato movement of Vsaid striker toward its set position and for permitting vunimpeded movement' of said strikerv from its set position toward-its released position, saidbarrierbeing Yeii'ective "to at least partially block' one"animaly approach to said treadle when occupying its upright position. y Y l2. Anl animal trap comprising abase, a striker including side portions anda cross portion,l means including a pivot element extending transversely of said base lintermediate the front and rear endsv thereof VforV supporting said striker for pivotal- 'movement betweenjsetand released positions, a

y'coil' 'spring "biasing-'- 'said striker toward its; re-

leased position and havingponvolutlons surl .rounding said element, latch Vmeans for .releas- .ablyf holding said striker in a' set position and including abait treadle extending `toward 'the front end of said'b'ase, a barrier including a portion wrapped aroundv said spring` convolutions to Y support the barrier between-said striker side portions for pivotal movement between raised and ,lowered positions relative to said base, VSaidbarrier being effective to at least partially block animal approach to'said treadle from the reareof said base and being so supported between'said side portions as not to interfere with movement of said striker from its set position to its released position, and means providing a one-way actuating connection between said striker and said barrierfor operating said barrier to its'upright position in response to movement of said striker from its released position toward itsvset position. i

13. An animal trap comprisinga base, astriker including side portions and a cross portion, supports spaced transversely of said base intermediate the front Vand rear ends thereof and anchored to said base, Vmeans including a pivot element extendingbetween said supports for supporting said striker upon said supports for pivotal movement between set-and released positions, a coil spring biasing said striker toward its released position and having convolutions surrounding said element, latch means for releasably holding said striker in a set. position and'including a bait treadle extending toward the front end of Asaid base,Y a barrier `including. a portion wrapped around said spring convolutions tosupport Vthe barrier between said striker sideLportions for pivotal-movement between raised and lowered positions'relative to said base, said barrierl being effective to 'at least partiallyblock animal approachto said treadle from theY rear of said .base and being so supported between said .v Y vsidelportions as not to interfere with movement of-saidstriker from its set position to its released position, and means providing a one-way actuating connection between said striker and said barrier for operating saidbarrier to its upright posi- 'tion in response tomovement of said striker from its releasedV position toward its set position, said barrier-having oppositely extending portions en- `gageable with said supports to stop movement of said barrier .after it is pivoted to its uprightV diate the Airont and rear ends thereof and vanchored to said base, means including a pivot `element extending betweensaid supports for supporting said striker upon said supports for pivotal movement between set and released positions, a coil spring having convolutions surrounding said element and end portions engaging said striker Varm side portions. to bias said striker toward its releasedV position, latch means for .re- Vleasably'holdingsaid striker in aset position and including'` bait treadle extending towardthe frontend of said base, a barrier including a portion wrapped-around said spring convolutions to support the barrier between said striker side por- -tions for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions relativeto .said base', said V'barrier being eil'ective to at least partially block animal approach to said treadle from the rear of said base and being so supported between 4said Y Y side portionsas not to interfere with. movement of Asaid striker-from its'setipo'sition to. its released REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Street-er Dec. 21, 1897 Number 

